Gas-turbine.



H. HOLZWARTH.

GAS TURBINE.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.13, 1911.

Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

UNITED STATES HANS HOLZWARTH, 0F MANNHEIM, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 ERHABD PATENT OFFICE.

JUNGI-IANS, 0F SCHRAMBERG, GERMANY.

GAS-TURBINE? To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HANS HOLZWARTI-I, a subject of the German Emperor, residing at Mannheim, in the Empire of Germany, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Gas-Turbines, of which the following is a specification.

Ths invention relates to gas turbines of the kind. in which a combustible gaseous mixture is periodically exploded in separate chambers (combustion chambers) provided for that purpose, the resulting gases then.

flowing with expansion into the actual tur bine. whereupon the explosion chamber is a working hasheen held tobe the best working in which the hot gaseous productsof combustion pass into the actual. turbine in i an unbroken uniformcurrent. Others who recognizedthat a continuous, uniform combustionand a continuous outflow of the gases are not practicable on-account of the high temperatures resulting therefrom, which no material used in the construction can stand, attempted to keep the outlets from the combustion chamber and the nozzles so small that the explosion pressure in the combastion chamber was maintained to a certain extent at least for a period and did not fall off too rapidly. It has even been suggested to artificially contract the nozzles during the commencement of the discharge and gradually to open them wider as exnansion proceeds, so that the gases should flow into the actual turbine for a long time as uniformly as possible.

Now this inventionisuggests the opposite method of working and makes the outlet as wide as possible, much wider than has ever been previously attempted -or proposed.

Thorough investigation and experiments Specification of Letters Patent.

Patent-ed- Nov. 5, 1912 Application filed October 13; 1911. Serial No. 654,486.

made by the inventor have in vfact shown that it is of the greatest importance for the efiiciency of working'of a gas turbine that the temperature of the mixture intended for combustion should be low, that is to say, lie as little as possible above the temperature of the external air, andalso that this initial temperature of the mixture is largely influenced by the temperature of the walls of the combustion chamber and, further, that the duration of the contact of the products of combustion with these walls plays the greatest part in-determining the temperatureof the walls, and, finally, that increase of the pressure in the explosion chambers beyond a certain limit must be avoided, be-

cause otherwise in place of the regular combustion, explosiveefiects which have a deleterious action, are produced.

In order to allow of the invention being better understood it will now be explained in the following specification, reference being made to an example of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, of which e Figure 1 is an axial section of a gas turbine with vertical shaft Fig. 2, a section on the line AB of Fig. 1, of the member closing the outlet of the combustion chambers: and Fig. 3, a section on the line E-F' of Fig. 2, Figs. 2 and 3 being on a larger scale than Fig. i

The combustion chambers, several of which are located adjacent different parts of the periphery of the running wheel 1, are

indicated by 2. They are provided with inletwalvs 3, for air, and 4, for. gas, and also with ignition devices 5 of any suitable kind, such for instance as sparking plugs. and of any suitable number. A body 6, which contains the nozzles 7 through Which-the combustion gases expand before reaching the running Wheel 1 of the turbine, connects with. the outlet side of the combustion chambers 2. A- seat 8 is provided in the body 6 for a valve 9 which can close the passage from the combustion chambers 2 to the nozzles 7. The areas of the sections of the passage at different points have of course a certain relationship to one another determined by the condition of the flowing gas in each section in view of the continuity of the flow. Preferably the area of the section of the passage at the seat 8 of the valve 9,

the area of the narrowest section or throat.

of the nozzle and the area of that section tioned considerations, all the sections being explosion chamber. The other sections are wider in accordance with the above men-.

thus of substantially greater area than has hitherto ever beenproposed or used. The I body 6 preferably contains all the outlet passages for the separate explosion chambers 2' and all the nozzles -7, and is then made as 'ajsingle rin which is mounted on the base of the. mac ine, which base contains the Combustion chambers 2. The valves 9 are each'revoluble on a shaft 10 lying out of the way of the hot gases of combustion and may, as'shown in" dotted lines inFigs. 1 and 3,

' move so far aside when the outletpassage is opened, that they no longer impede the flow.

' They are preferably made self-closing, so

the body6- t In order that theclosing waive may be .that they are pressed on to their seats-by 30v means of a s ring" or the likell and may be lifted off their seats against the pressure of vthe spring, by the pressureof the combustion gases; A helical or spiral spring, such' as the spring 11, is provided in 'a recess in the valve casing 12,.one end being connected with the spindle 10 of the valve 9, while. the other end is secured in the casing 12. The

sprin and its casing may be closed on the outsi e by means of a cover 13.- The casing 12 forms, as particularly shown in. Fig. .1, a separatebody which is placed at: the side of controlled, for instance in order to maintain 1t 1n .an opened condition, even after the pressure of the gases of combustion has .con-

, siderably decreased, a separate chamber 14 is provided in the casing 12 and closed on is arranged a closely fitting rotary piston 16 which ismounted onthe spindle 10 of the valve 9. Any suitable fluid under pressure, for instance-oil, may be admitted behind 'thepiston. 16 through a .passage or channel '17 (Fig; 3) so as to propel the piston into the position shown in chain dotted lines'in Fig. 3, sothat the valve 9 assumes the position shown in chain dotted lines in F g. 3. I The details-of the invent-ion as regards its construction can of course be carried out in various ways.- It is particularly important to ,give' large dimensions to the outlet aperture from the'combustion chambers. It

isof especial advantage as regards-this'to form the closing member-of this outlet as a flap valve instead of a mushroom valve, whereby a larger section of passage without substantial change of direction is provided for the combustion gases passing through it,

- and without the disadvantage that the oper-- ating parts must be placed in the path of the hot gas. A further advantage of the controlled closing. member hereinbefore described is that the dimensions of this closing memher and theparts belonging thereto maybe kept comparatively small in spite of its wide opening, so that the valve gear may be affixed easily and without interfering with the appearance of the engine as a whole, and the closing member with'the parts serving. for operating it may be easily removed for the-purpose of attention' The object of keeping the initial temperature of the exploded mixture low, is

also substantially assisted by afurther im-- provement which will now be described.

In gas turbines of the kind previously described air is preferably sent through the inlet valve 3 in theintervals between the separate explosions, and discharging it through the nozzles 7 when the nozzle closing member 9 is opened. ,For impartihg motion to this cooling air, of course, only as small adrop of pressure as possible should be employedfor practical reasons. This drop of pressure should, however, suffice to convey the air through the same course whichflthe expanding gas jethas previously taken. The expanding gas jet,

, however, moves at a very high velocity and the air jet at a very low velocity in consequenceofthe fall in pressure being onlv' small, and the passages between the blades of the wheel 1 must be of such dimensions that they afford no appreciable resistance shapes, dimensions and relative positions of y to the passage of the gas jet. Now the the vanes can not also correspond to the low speed of the air current and therefore they oppose great-resistance to the movement ofthis current.

Now in accordance with this. invention, a;

sufiicient discharge for the cooling air is afforded in an improved manner without affecting the cooling'action, by outlet aper-.

tures 18 for the air being provided in proximity to the first ring of blades on the running. wheel, which apertures allow the air to escape from the spacebetween the nozzle and the first ring of blades directly to the space 19 beyond the turbine wheels, avoiding the passages between the blades of the turbine. .In consequence of the radiating action of the running wheel not only is the;

running wheel itself sufiiciently cooled, Without the cooling air passing through its vanes, but also by the centrifugal action the conveyance of the airis considerably 'facil-. itated. The; passages 18 are preferably made as Wide as possible and they extend so far over the periphery that they approach one another as closely as possible. The partitions separating them are preferably ta 1o pered toward the'inlet apertures and also toward the chamber 10.

I declare that What I claim is v p 1. A gas turbine comprising combustion chambers, inlet members leading the gas for combustion to said chambers, inlet members leading scavenging air to said chambers, outlet members-leading both the products of combustionand the scavenging air from the said chambers to the running wheel, the outlet members being so formed that their smallest area of section is greater than 5/1000 of the volume of the combustion chamber divided by the diameter of a sphere having a volume equal to that of the combustion chamber.

chambers, inlet members for the gas intended for combustion, outlet members for the products of combustion and controlled closing members for said outlet members, the outlet members being so formed that their smallest area of section is greater than 5/1000 of the volume of the combustion chamber divided by the diameterof a sphere bustion chamber.

3L A gas turbine comprising combustion chambers, inlet members for the gas intended for combustion, outlet members for the products of combustion and controlled fiap valves for said outlet/members, the outlet members being so formed that their smallest area" of section is greater than 5/1000 of the volume of the combustion chamber divided by the diameter of a sphere having a volume equal to that of the combustion chamber.

4.. A gas turbine comprising combustion chambers, inlet members for the gas in-' tended for combustion, outlet members for the products of combustion, and controlled spring loaded flap, valves for said outlet members, the outlet members being so.

formed that their smallest area of section is greater than 5/1000 of the volume of the combustion chamber divided by the diam'-.

2. 'A gas turbine comprising combustion;

having a volume equal to that of the corn;

smallest area of section is greater than 5/1000 of the volume of the combustion chamber divided bythe. diameter of a sphere having a volume equal to that of the combustion chamber.

. 6.v A gas turbine comprising combustion chambers, inlet members for .the gas intended for combustionyoutlet members for the products of combustion, fiap valves for closing saidoutlet members, coiled springs acting upon said flap valves, and hydraulic means'for controlling said flap valves, the

'outlet members being so formed that their smallest area of section is greater than 5/1000 of the volume of the combustion chamber divided by the diameter of a sphere of a volume equal to that of the combustion chamber.

'7. A gas turbine comprising combustion chambers, inlet members for the gas in- .tended for combustion, outlet members for the products of combustion, said outlet members being so formed that their smallest area-of section is greater than 5/1000 of the volume of the combustion chamber divided by 'the diameter of a sphere having a .volume equal to .that of the combustion chamber, 'flap valves closing said outlet members, coiled springs actingupon said flap valves, rotary pistons connected with said flap valves, and hydraulic means for controlling the movements of said pistons.

8. A gas turbine comprising combustion chambers, inlet members for the gas intended for combustion, outlet members for the products of combustion, said outlet members being so formed that their smallest area of section is greater than 5/1000 of the volume of the combustion chamber divided by the diameter of'a sphere having a volumeequal to that of the combustion chamber, flap valves-for closing said outlet members, means for pivotally supporting said flap valves, said means being arranged out of the path of flow of the products of combustion, coiled springs acting upon said flap valves, rotary pistons connected with said flap valves, and hydraulic means for controlling said piston;

9. A gas turbine comprising combustion chambers, inlet members for. the gas intended for combustion, outlet members for the products of combustion, said'outlet members being so formed that their smallest area of section is greater than 5/1000 of the volume of the combustion chamber dlvided 'by the diameter of a sphere having a voltrolling said pistons, and an integral member forming th-ecasing for a valve; with its springv and piston.

10. A gas turbine comprising combustion chambers, inlet members for the gas for combustion, o'utlet members for the products of combustion, theoutlet members being so formed that their smallest area of section is greater than/1000jof the'volume of the. combustion chamber divided by the diameter of a sphere having a volume equal to that of the combustion chamber, and a.

lateral continuation of. the outlet passages valves, rotary pistons connected with said,

being formed in front of the blades of the turbine, flap valves closing the outlet members, coiled springs acting upon said flap flap valve, hydraulicymeans controlling said pistons, means for Ipivotally supporting said flap valves, said means being arranged out-' side the path of the products of combustion, and an integral member forming the casing for a flan valve with ,its spring and piston.

-11. A gas turbine comprising combustion chambers, inlet members for the gas for combustion, outlet members for the products of combustion, valve seats arranged in said a inlet members, the outlet members being so eter of the sphere having a volume equal;

I formed that the area. ofsection at the valve seat is reater than, 2/100 of the volume of the exp osion chamber divided by the diamto that 'of the explosion chamber, flap valves adapted to co-act with the said seats, coiled springs acting upon said flap' valves,

rotary plstons connected with said flap valves-and hydraulic means controlling said pistons.

" 12. A gasturbine comprising combustion chambers, 'inlet 'members for the-"gas for f'combustiom'outlet meinbersleading the products of combustion from said chambers, said outlet' members being so formed that theirsmallest area of section is greaterthan 5/1000 of the volume of the combustion chamber-divided by the diameter of a sphere havinga volumeequal to that of the combusti'on chamber, nozzles formed in the'outer ends ofsaid outlet members, and delivering the'p'roduc'ts of. {combustion to the ruiming wheel, a fixed casing surrounding the run .ningiwheehsaid casing having laterally ex- I ten ng openings adjacent to the nozzles.

1 a 13. A gas turbine comprising combustion chambers, inlet members for the gas for combustion, outlet members leading the products of combustion from said chambers, nozzles fromed in the outer ends of said outlet members and delivering the products of combustion to the running wheel, a fixed casing surrounding the running "wheel, said casing having laterally extending openings 'adj a- I cent to the nozzles.

14. A gasturbine' comprising combustion chambers, inlet members for the gas intended'for combustion, outlet members for the products of combustion, flap valves for closing vsaid outlet members, means for pivtended for combustion, outlet members for the products of combustion, flap valves for closing said outletmembers, means for pivotally supporting said flap valves said means being arranged out of thepath o'fflow of. the products of combustion, coiled springs acting'upon said flap valves, rotary pistons connected withsaid flap valves, and hydraulic means for controlling said pistons.

16. Agas turbine comprising combustion chambers, inlet members for the gas intended for combustion, outletmembers for the prodnets of combustion, flap valves closing said outlet members, coiled springs acting upon said flap valves, rotary pistons connected with said flap valves, and hydraulic means for controlling the movements of said pistons.

- In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name this 18th day of September, 1911, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses; p

HANS HOLZWARTH.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH PIEIFFIQR, S. H. SHA E. 

